Ice Storm 2013

Well...a big ice storm hit our area this past Thursday night and these are the repercussions.  Our trees have not snapped in half...but there are some in our neighborhood that have.  Some are without electricity...and I am so thankful that our electricity never went out.  Geoff left for work on Thursday and didn't come home until today.  He works in the same city where my dad lives, and so he stayed there to keep from having to commute here back and forth.  So it was just me and the kiddos.  ;)  We've been good...keeping busy inside...and doing a lot of pajama wearing and movie watching.

I know this ice has done a lot of damage and is a huge inconvenience.....but it's pretty amazing....the icicle.

Our sad, sagging trees.

I especially love that these leaves are golden orange....then coated in a fairly thick layer of ice.

Wouldn't you know it...the ONLY day I work this month is tomorrow morning.  Praying for a safe trip.  Reminds me of my very first day back in January 2011.  And really that whole first week!

And also Christmas last year...when I worked and then didn't come home because I was afraid of snow/ice and having to be back the next morning and didn't see my kids (or family) at all on Christmas Eve OR Christmas day.

So yeh...no snow/ice days for nurses.  :)  Such is life.  Somebody has to take care of those babies!  When I have to go into work on holidays or days like this....I just remind myself that I am thankful to be going to the hospital to work....and not because my child or husband or loved one is there and sick.  

It's all about perspective.

back to work

I started back to work from my maternity leave the weekend before last.  The days leading up to my return- I was pretty surprised with myself and how well I was handling it all.

I'm not sure if it's that I hope to be working only part time here in a few weeks?  Or that I actually like my job and enjoy working the wonderful people that I work with?  That I'm leaving them with their father to care for them?  Or that going to work is actually easier than being home with all 3 alone?  Ha ha ha!  {true story}

So one of my favorite things when I'm at work is getting pictures from Geoff.  The next 3 are from the first day.  I had surprised the girls with new My Little Ponies at their place at the table for them to find when they woke up along with a note that I wrote each of them.

And one of a happy baby boy in his bouncer.

This past weekend....I got a picture of big boy in his bumbo.  This was his first time....and when I looked at the picture I immediately thought, "What???  He's not old enough for this?  Where's my newborn???"

Our 3.  Love this one.

Sunday he took all 3 out to get a few things at Wal-Mart.

The girls got new sketch pads and Nolan was just hanging out 'watching'.

And somehow.....Grace 'accidentally' wrote on his head.  Poor guy.  :)

And then I got this.  This video.  And teared up a bit.  So sweet of Nolan....and also of Geoff and things he says and how he talks to him....and then to send it to me to make my day.

Nolan while I'm at work from Marla on Vimeo.

A little afternoon painting.

And then Sunday night on my way home....I get this next from Geoff as he was trying to put Nolan to sleep.  So funny.  Little stinker.

And since I've been working (really it's been since I've had Nolan)...I know the girls have been lacking in individual attention from us.  So this morning I had an eye doctor appointment for myself and I decided that Parker could go with me and then we'd go out for lunch afterwards.  Well- we went to the appointment and then to Target just for fun...and then to Sonic.  Yes, Sonic.  In my head- we were going to go to Chili's and sit on the same side of the booth.  But she chose Sonic and to eat outside.  So eat outside at Sonic we did.

We had a good time just visiting, and it broke my heart to leave Grace behind because it made her so sad.  When we pulled out of the driveway she was just smiling and waving....it was SO sweet.  Then Geoff told me when we got home that she watched us until we were out of sight...and after she turned around to go back inside she lost it.  So sad, bless her heart.  But I know they each need this time and next Tuesday will be her time.  Can't wait.

So thankful for my husband....who- in my absence- provides care for our 3 kids (and me) with nary a complaint.  Blessed.

Residency is over!

Yesterday......I officially graduated from my NNICU residency.  And so......tomorrow.....I work my first day on the floor.....with my own assignment.....and no preceptor.  I have mixed emotions of excitement....and scared out of my mind.  

I had class for the past 2 days....and took my final yesterday morning.  After work- my residency class (me and 8 other girls) and a few nurses from the unit went out to dinner to celebrate.  The girls stayed the night with my mom and Geoff was able to take off of work a little early to join me.  It was a good time, but I was a little worn out from the week.

I came home to find these flowers on the kitchen table that Parker had picked out for me.  (I did not ask her to pose with the flowers.  I got the camera out to take the picture of just the flowers, and she propped herself right up beside them.  I thought it was so sweet because she was so proud of them.)

So wish me luck!  I'm excited (and relieved) to be finished with the residency because now I will have no more classes and be able to work my schedule....which is only 3 days a week.    Just ready to get settled into our new schedule.

Ten on Tuesday

1. We went to Target today to get 4 things:
-Valentine's M&Ms
-yogurt
-miniature matchboxes
-Man-N-Cheese

And we left with:
-Valentine's M&Ms
-yogurt
-Mac-N-Cheese
-And these shoes.....

I know it looks like a lot. But it's for TWO girls. And aside from the rain boots {which I have never really thought that we needed rain boots......but now with all of the snow....and with spring and summer rains coming (?)......I figured I'd bite the bullet and get them......but I did get them a little big so that they can last at least a year.......and then they'll get used again with Grace}.....everything else I got are sandals.....{which- in my opinion- if you don't get them early.....they get picked over (this is what happened with the winter shoes}.....and then a couple of pairs for Parker that were just 'needed' since her foot is growing and she doesn't have any.

Oh- and there is one more pair not pictured. Parker wanted to put these on when we got home and kept them on for most of the rest of the day!



2. I bought these bananas when they were very green- thinking that they would ripen to yellow. But they kind of skipped that step and turned into this. Which is all fine with me. We aren't really banana eaters in our family......but we love these popsicles and we love banana bread!


So today- we made our popsicles




3. Our afternoon snack.

Parker's: raisins (that she did not eat); apples; reduced fat cheez-its (as if that makes it better); and {not pictured} mandrin oranges {per her request}.


Grace's:

Little heart cheese's; apple slices



4. I finally finished the girls' Valentine's outfits. It was a little difficult getting the pics I wanted due to a) their attitudes, and b) the lighting in my house at the time. So these will have to do.




There's that smile!


Parker was SO excited to put her outfit on.

She just danced and twirled around. She did not want to take it off. I told her she couldn't eat with it on.....so at dinner- she took it off, then ate, then went and put it back on. ;)

I was trying to get a decent pic....but she would not stand still! So I said, "FREEZE!".....and this is what she did. Little ham!




5. I finally got the books in the mail from Amazon that were supposed to be delivered last week.

I ordered 2 Valentine's books that were suggested by 1+1+1. We read them both tonight and Parker was really into them. We are now planning to make Valentine's on Friday or Saturday.....and she started listing all of the people she wanted to make them for. ;) And I'll admit- I never looked at Valentine's as a 'religious' holiday....and I know it's not.....but these books talk about loving God and Jesus and how he loves us no matter what. And most importantly- they peaked her interest!




6. I also ordered a couple of books for myself. And I am really exited about this one.....

....not quite as excited about this one. ha ha ha ;)



7. I can't think of a number 7.



8. I should be in bed right now.



9. I made PW's Sour Cream Enchiladas (except I also added shredded rotisserie chicken). {I think Megan has had a PW cooking influence on me! Thanks alot! ;) }

And then I made myself a helping in our Easy Lunchboxes for lunch tomorrow.



10. Which brings me to my last point. I have to go into work tomorrow and I am not looking forward to it. I will say- I am so very thankful for my job. But this is definitely not a perk. I am experiencing quite a bit of anxiety about driving tomorrow.....more than last week.....so I am praying that all goes well. I am going to pack a bag and possibly stay the night at the hospital (in an empty patient room) since I have to be there the next morning as well. If it's anything like last week- it took me up to 2 hours to get home.....and so it would be futile to drive to Kristin's....pick up the girls at around 9pm (which is way past their bed time).....drive them home in the ice/snow.....put them to bed.....only to leave the house again at 4:30 the next morning!

So we'll see how it all goes. I think I've been in denial about the weather reports all week. I mean- really......you know how it is.......they say one thing, and the weather does another. The only bad thing is.......sometimes they are wrong....and it's worse than what they said (i.e. last week).

Ok- I'm done rambling.

Happy Tuesday!


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Today- I'm linking up:

Adventures in Driving to Work in/on Ice.

I'm not sure if 'adventuresome' is the exact right word I'd use, but definitely far from the norm here in Texas!

Today was actually the first day in my life that I've ever had to drive in ice-y weather.

And I'm going to venture to say- that this is the worst the roads have ever been in 15 (or 25 years depending on which news or radio station you're listening to....haha). And any time there ever has been 'ice-y conditions' or 'inclement weather'.....I have not had to go to work.

So today was actually quite a few 'firsts' for me.

And since most of you probably did not get out and experience this ice first-hand- I thought I'd kind of catalogue my 'adventure.'

It's nothing too exciting, but I want to document nonetheless.


So I'll start with......

.....Parker came into our room at about 4:30am. And since this is not a usual occurrence....anytime this does happen....we just put her in bed with us because we are lazy it is the easiest thing to do and the quickest way for us all return to our slumber.

Only problem....my alarm went off at 5:15.

Parker was still not asleep.

So she gets up with me while I'm getting ready. She's wide awake. Thinking it's time to get up....even though I keep telling her it is still 'night-night' since the sun is still sleeping. She's not buying it a bit because since I'm up....and so it must be time for her to get up!

I was rushing around trying to get ready... feed her (she said she was hungry)...make my lunch (slacker! this should have been done the night before!)....make my coffee (I can't live without it.). So right before I was to walk out the door.....I wanted to take a quick look at the TV to see what the weather was doing (although- at the time it was sleeting.....and it had been thundering and lightening as well....which may have been the reason Parker woke up?).

And right when I turned on the TV....I saw the number 21 so big on the screen!

What??

It was already freezing temps???

You see- when I went to be last night....I knew in my heart of hearts (and I think this is what the meteorologists were predicting as well) that the morning would be rainy.....but.....ABOVE freezing.

I had already planned on leaving a little early.....but I did not expect the below freezing temps at 6am.

My heart started beating really fast.....and I'll admit.....my stomach started turning and I kind of felt sick.

It's like I was in denial on how bad the roads really were though. Even though I was already getting really nervous about driving.....there was a fleeting moment when I was still hoping that it wasn't as bad as it was.

And so as the school closings were listed at the bottom of the screen.....I saw 'Dallas ISD closed.'

And I'm not really sure the exact reason why.....but I started crying then. (I mean- I know why I was crying....I was scared out of my mind. But was a little surprised that it was triggered by the 'Dallas ISD close' flashing on the screen?).

But I think it was just that- in my mind- if ALL of these places were deeming the roads too unsafe to drive.....then how did I think that I could drive those same roads safely? It was all a little overwhelming. (Also important to keep in mind that I do not regard myself as a good driver.)

OK- that's pretty much the end of my 'story.'

Oh wait!

As I was pulling out of the driveway....and onto our street......I saw the ice.

Blankets of ice.

Maybe it was my stupidity. Or my naivety? But I do not think I've ever experienced (at least since I've been driving)....the actual roads.....not only the bridges and overpasses......but for the roads to have SO. MUCH. ICE on them.

If I had to do it over again.....I would have probably waited until daylight (around 7) to have left the house.

It. was. awful.

Mind you- it was still sleeting, although not too bad. But it was, nonetheless.

The freeway was covered in ice. And there were few, if any, tire track marks indenting the ice because it was so early and so many were staying in today.

I could not see the lines between the lanes. And while driving over the lake (there are TWO, fairly decent in length bridges that I have to cross).....it all just seemed SO dark.

Thankfully- at this point- people were still driving pretty cautiously.

As I got closer to Dallas.....and there was more daylight- I started coming upon bridges that had been sanded. And apparently- in case you were wondering- some people interpret this as a sign that the bridges and overpasses are safe and ice-free..... and decide to speed-race. Good times, I tell ya.

At one point- a car sped past me.....splashing a pretty good amount of the ice-y, water-y, muddy slush onto my window. Upon which....it stuck/froze to my window. I panicked (mostly on the inside)....my windshield wipers couldn't get it off.....I could not see......I started to slow down.....but then was afraid someone would run into me......then I couldn't tell what lane I was in again......then- after what seemed like a few minutes (but probably only a few seconds)....I could see again. But not without hunching down to see through the dirt stained windows where my windshield wipers performed less than par!!!!! (Geoff is getting me new wipers tonight!)

It really makes you realize that when you know you have to drive in ice-y conditions.......you're not really worried about yourself and your driving (ok- maybe you are a little)......but you should mostly be worried about the other people. ;)

And it gets kind of tricky....because it starts to look wet.....or even dry.....but then really....it's still the ice!!! And so people start driving faster....thinking it's safer....and BAM!

Ok, ok. No more negativity. (And honestly- I'm really not trying to be negative...but more....just telling it like it was today on my way to work.)

And.....I did make it to work safely. I drove about 20 mph the whole way there.

And I made it home safely, as well. Such a praise and blessing. So very thankful.



This was my sludgy window when I got to work. I know it doesn't look that bad....but it was!! I could barely see!

And this was the parking lot. These pictures really do not do it justice....but this is solid ICE. At this point....it wasn't too slippery to walk on.

Another picture of the ice in the parking lot (note: this is not snow...it is ice.) (or if it was snow...it was not soft. it was hard and slippery.)


But when I got off of work. The ice looked thicker. And this time it was slippery. And like I said- this picture does not really do justice....but where you see concrete...is solid ice.


And I took this picture to show the ice better.......but this is how it was all over!! So now- when you look at the picture above.....know that this is what it looked like there, too. I started to feel like I might not be able to make it out of the parking lot....let alone, home!


I picked up the girls from Kristin's and headed home. I ended up parking on the street because I was not sure I could make it up our driveway.

And this is ice, also. Leading up to our front door. Solid.


Now.....trying to mentally prepare myself to do it all over again tomorrow. ;)

I'm also about to try to make some Valentine's decorations with this felt if I can keep my eyes open. ;) Been meaning to get around to it for about 2 weeks now. We'll see how it goes.


Oh- and I guess I need to make our lunches. {sigh}